Related Articles:

Visitor Comments: 35

Any child should be blessed with such parents and all parents with such kids as you have shown yourself to be!

(29)
Elle,
October 24, 2013 12:12 PM

What a wonderful Kiddush Hashem

You make us all so proud.

David S,
October 24, 2013 3:56 PM

come uppance to Anti Semite?

One who doesn't stand for something, stands for nothing.

teaching by wrote has a place in younger years. Included in that wrote is we are all G-d's children. We look different, sound different, behave different. But never forget who another person's father is, when they do good, or when they do bad.

(28)
Isaac,
October 22, 2013 4:48 PM

2 pairs of shoes.

From the very onset (and throughout) he is judging his cretic. But at the conclusion of his performance he states that he was taught not to judge someone until you walked a mile in their shoes.

On a performance rating I give him a 10, but on substance, well that depends on in who's shoes you are standing.

If one grows up in a fanatical religious environment he/she will indeed be susceptible to fanatical religious brainwashing. Knowing this I rate him a 0 for substance.

If on the other hand one grows up in a normal religious (based on pure morals) environment, and not knowing what it means to live in the former's shoes I then rate him a 10 for substance. Because ignorance is bliss.

Anonymous,
October 27, 2013 4:40 AM

First: Judging someone and defending/explaining yourself are two entirely different things. He is not judging his critic; his critic, by very definition of the word, is judging him.Second: Jewish lifestyle not based on Torah values can not be called religious. We live by what the Hashem wants, what the Torah says and not by what we decide is right.Third: Ignorance may be bliss, but one can not live a life of ignorance and it is only blissful until one's ignorance gets him into pain and trouble. One has to think and understand what he is doing. We are not robots.

Isaac,
October 30, 2013 4:36 PM

Firstly, I agree with your third point. But on your first point, not only is he judging his cretic, but he is also very much so mocking him. Everyone who grew up in the orthodox Jewish world and who dares to think. Acknowledges that there is a substantial degree of brainwashing. Due to the lack of understanding by those who relate Torah to their students. We simply need better teachers. On your second point. For example, if one prays because he is brainwashed into doing so, he is praying most likely without true desire, and will not be affective. As is stated in Psalm 145v16, "You (God) open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living being." Therefore I ask. Which is truly based on Torah values?

(27)
wynn,
October 22, 2013 12:37 PM

imagine.

I give you my hand in friendship,this young men has hoospah.some of us will make comments but will also like to hide behind the "anonymous banner"

(26)
Anonymous,
October 22, 2013 8:26 AM

Thanks for standing up and proving the truth!!! You opened the eyes of the "blind". Very well said!!!

(25)
Aliza,
October 22, 2013 3:42 AM

Awesome

As a poet and a believer i greatly appreciated this very well written piece. Thank you

(24)
Elisheva,
October 21, 2013 9:22 PM

What a powerful response!

Yasher koach!

(23)
Dvirah,
October 21, 2013 4:37 PM

All Parent "Brainwash"

Since all parents who are not utterly negligent teach their children their own values, this argument holds for ALL children.

Anonymous,
October 21, 2013 7:58 PM

SO encouraging to hear!

Well said young man! I applaud you and your parents! My hope is renewed hearing you today. My husband and I have vigilantly worked to do the same "brainwashing" in our own children's lives. We continue, no matter the fact they are now young adults because we love them and God.

(22)
Antonio Perez,
October 21, 2013 4:11 PM

Teaching righteousness

Very well said. Thank this young man for standing up for righteousness and truth.

(21)
Yves,
October 21, 2013 1:29 PM

Wow !!!! Great!

(20)
Anonymous,
October 21, 2013 3:16 AM

continue

What an inspiration. Wish this young man could go to learn at Aish hatorah!

(19)
Britany Hill,
October 21, 2013 2:37 AM

Well Said!

What a great response to such a ridiculous question. I've seen so many younger people, and even adults, who care not for religion or integrity, or even morals, and that's just saddening. This young man was definitely raised right and his response was just amazing!

(18)
Suzy,
October 20, 2013 11:43 PM

Loved this !

Very well said ! I'm showing this to my teens !

(17)
Andrea Eller,
October 20, 2013 9:17 PM

WONDERFUL !

What a wonderful response from a thinker to a non-thinker. And the way the poetry group reacted means that this young man got his point across even to those who are not Jewish. We're proud of him.

(16)
Laurence Cohn,
October 20, 2013 6:24 PM

Two thumbs up for telling it the way it should be!

If we had more parents "teaching" as this young fellow said we would have a better country!

(15)
Anonymous,
October 20, 2013 6:09 PM

Wow! Well done!

Congratulations to you and your parents- what an eloquent , articulate response. I hope my own children feel the same way about me someday!

(14)
Andrew Stiller,
October 20, 2013 6:08 PM

That was excellent

We should all have such strength of character and great conviction!

(13)
B'chayil Ben Dan,
October 20, 2013 6:04 PM

Kol HaKavod and well played!

What an inspiring talk that was by a young man who obviously was raised correctly. In this age of egotism, me, me, me, selfishness, hedonism, paganism and idolatry, here we have a young Jewish man who was "brainwashed" the right way. He hit the nail on the head, either we are brainwashed the right way or the wrong way. Nothing in between It makes me proud to see a young Jewish person stand up for what is right. Sadly, so many young Jews today care not for HaShem or Torah, but the things of this world. Kol HaKavod!

(12)
Barry,
October 20, 2013 5:57 PM

The kid summed it up -- Judiasm is taught by example.

I like the way the Jewish school kid explained how he was grateful for being taught the laws and traditions of Jadaism from his Parents. It was not forced on him. He chose what to adopt as his own belief system and his chidren will do the same. Jews are not brainwashed as some other religions do to their children. They do not need to strap-on a bomb to gain favor from their families.

(11)
Anonymous,
October 20, 2013 4:31 PM

Kol ha kavod!

(10)
Anonymous,
October 20, 2013 4:14 PM

Amazing!!

I wish I could express myself with such conviction!

(9)
Anonymous,
October 20, 2013 3:57 PM

Wow!!! what a Kiddo... I could say yes, your parents really brainwashed and taught you very well ... very inspiring indeed!

(8)
mETROPOLITAN ePHRAEM,
October 20, 2013 3:41 PM

I'M PROUD OF YOUR REPLY TO CRITIC

G-D BLESS YOUNG MANS' REPLY TO CRITIC: ELOQUENT AND INSPIRED. A X I O S---A X I O S---A X I O X

(7)
R,
October 20, 2013 1:05 AM

that was perfectly stated and extremely impressive!

(6)
Anonymous,
October 19, 2013 10:10 PM

very inspirational !

(5)
roxanne,
October 18, 2013 10:29 PM

Excellent !!!

(4)
Yehudis M,
October 18, 2013 9:19 PM

Incredible.

This guy is amazing. Simple as that. Everything he says has a ring of truth to it and he has such courage to openly say what he thinks.

(3)
Galia Berry,
October 18, 2013 5:48 PM

What a kiddush Hashem! True greatness. And what nachas!

(2)
nechami,
October 18, 2013 4:28 PM

WOW!!!

Fantastic, that was awesome! Very creative and just so refreshing, thank you for standing up for your beliefs in a world turned upside down.

Alan S.,
October 20, 2013 8:11 AM

Enough said.

Nechami, this is a perfect comment.

(1)
Anonymous,
October 18, 2013 2:41 PM

Kol HaKavod!Thank you! It is wonderful.

You must have terrific parents who are Shepping lots of Nachas from you. Would it be possible to post a hard copy of it?

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...